Syringa plant named ‘G13103’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Syringa vulgaris plant, referred to by its cultivar name, ‘G13103’, is provided which forms white colored flowers which are moderately fragrant. Medium green colored foliage is formed. The new variety provides vegetation that is moderately vigorous and the growth habit is densely branched and compact. The new variety is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape.

Botanical/commercial classification:

Latin name—Syringa vulgaris.

Varietal denomination—‘G13103’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of Syringa vulgaris plant originated in a controlled breeding program in Bellefonte, Pa. during May 2009. The objective of the breeding program was the development of a series of Syringa cultivars with a faster production cycle, compact habits, and strong powdery mildew resistance. The new cultivar was created by cross-pollination wherein two parents were crossed which previously had been studied in the hope that they would contribute the desired characteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) was Syringa vulgaris ‘Frederick Law Olmsted’ (not patented). The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) was a non-patented unnamed breeder seedling.

The parentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows: ‘Frederick Law Olmsted’ x unnamed breeder seedling

The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the progeny of the above stated cross-pollination during May 2013 in a controlled environment in Bellefonte, Pa.

It was found that the new variety of Syringa plant of the present invention possesses the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) forms attractive, white colored moderately fragrant flowers,     -   (b) exhibits medium green colored foliage,     -   (c) provides moderately vigorous vegetation, and     -   (d) displays densely branched and compact growth habit.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry. It can be grown to advantage as ornamentation in parks, gardens, public areas, and in residential settings. Accordingly, the plant is particularly well suited for growing in the landscape.

The new variety of the present invention can readily be distinguished from its ancestors. More specifically, the ‘Frederick Law Olmsted’ variety (i.e., the seed parent) displays dark green colored foliage and exhibits an upright to open growth habit, whereas the new variety displays medium green colored foliage and exhibits a compact growth habit, also the new variety has less fragrant flowers and is more resistant to lilac powdery mildew compared to the seed parent. In addition, the unnamed breeder seedling male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) displays flowers which are less fragrant and exhibits smaller leaves compared to the new variety. Moreover, the new variety can be readily be distinguished from related similar non-parental varieties. For example, the ‘Betsy Ross’ variety (not patented) is the most similar commercially available cultivar and displays larger floret size, has a less compact growth habit which is less densely branched and has a slower growth rate compared to the new variety.

The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation at Bellefonte, Pa. by softwood cuttings since May 2013. Asexual propagation by softwood cuttings at Bellefonte, Pa. has shown that the characteristics of the new variety are stable and are strictly transmissible by such asexual propagation from one generation to another. Accordingly, the new variety undergoes asexual propagation in a true-to-type manner.

The new variety has been named ‘G13103’.

The new variety has not been sold or offered for sale at the time of filing the instant application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs shows as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same, in color illustrations of this character, typical specimens of the new variety. The Syringa plants of the new variety were approximately five years old and growing in the ground in May at Cochranville, Pa.

The drawing sheet—illustrates a specimen the plant—side view—displaying the overall growth and flowering habit.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined in April 2020 under natural light conditions in Cochranville, Pa.

The following descriptions and measurements describe plants produced from cuttings from stock plants. The plants were grown outside in a field on their own roots for approximately five years. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plants.

-   Class: Syringa Plant. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type cutting.—Softwood cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 5 weeks.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 11 weeks.         -   Root description.—Fibrous and fine; white to brown in color.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense. -   Plant:     -   -   Habit.—Densely branched and compact.         -   Commercial crop time.—Approximately 10-11 months from a             rooted cutting to finish in a three-gallon container.         -   Growth habit and general appearance.—Flowering shrub,             densely branched and compact growth habit.         -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 4.         -   Size.—Height: approximately 135.0 cm. — width: approximately             135.0 cm.         -   Branching habit.—Freely branching. — quantity of branches             per plant: approximately 7 main stems per plant with             approximately 3 to 5 lateral branches per stem.         -   Lateral branches.—Strength: strong. — length: approximately             28.0 cm. — diameter approximately 1.0 cm. — length of             central internode: approximately 3.0 cm. — texture of mature             stem: woody. — color of mature stems: commonly near             Grey-Brown Group N199A. -   Foliage:     -   -   General description.—Form: simple. — arrangement: alternate.             — fragrance: none detected.         -   Leaves.—Aspect: 45° to stem. — shape: deltoid to orbicular.             — margin: entire. — apex: acute. — base: truncate. —             venation pattern: pinnate. — length of mature leaf:             approximately 6.0 cm. — width of mature leaf: approximately             3.8 cm. — texture of upper and lower surfaces: glabrous. —             color of upper surface of developing foliage: commonly near             Yellow-Green Group 144A with venation of near Yellow-Green             Group 144B. — color of lower surface of developing foliage:             commonly near Yellow-Green Group 146C with venation of near             Yellow-Green Group 146D. — color of mature foliage: commonly             near Green Group 137A with venation of near Green Group             137B. — color of lower surface of mature foliage: commonly             near Green Group 137C with venation of near Green Group             137B.         -   Petiole.—Length: approximately 2.3 cm. — diameter:             approximately 1.0 mm. — texture: glabrous. — color of upper             and lower surfaces: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144A. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Lastingness of individual inflorescence on the             plant.—Approximately 7 to 10 days.         -   Fragrance.—Moderately fragrant; fragrance sweet and             pleasant.         -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 13.0 cm.         -   Inflorescence diameter.—Approximately 11.0 cm.         -   Flower arrangement and flowering habit.—Single salverform             flowers arranged in terminal panicles; freely flowering             habit with usually about 100 flowers per inflorescence;             flowers face upright to slightly outwardly.         -   Flowering season.—Plants of the new Syringa plant flower in             early spring in Cochranville, Pa.; flowers not persistent.         -   Flower.—Diameter: approximately 2.2 cm. — length (height):             approximately 1.5 cm. — throat diameter: approximately             2.0 mm. — tube length: approximately 1.0 cm. — tube             diameter, proximally: approximately 1.0 mm.         -   Flower buds.—Length: approximately 1.0 cm. — diameter:             approximately 5.0 mm. — shape: obovate. — color: commonly             near Green-White Group 157D.         -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: single whorl of four             petals; lower portion of petals fused forming a narrow tube.             — lobe length: approximately 1.0 cm. — lobe width:             approximately 6.0 mm. — lobe shape: ovate. — apex: obtuse to             acute; margin folding slightly inwards. — margin: entire. —             texture, upper and lower surfaces: smooth, glabrous. —             texture, throat and tube: smooth, glabrous. — color when             opening and fully opened, upper and under surfaces: commonly             near White Group NN155C.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: single whorl of four             sepals; fused towards the base forming a campanulate-shaped             calyx. — length: approximately 2.0 mm. — width:             approximately 1.0 mm. — shape: narrowly deltoid. — apex:             acute. — margin: entire. — texture, upper and lower             surfaces: glabrous. — color, upper and lower surfaces:             commonly near Yellow-Green Group 145A.         -   Peduncles.—Length: approximately 5.0 cm. — diameter:             approximately 1.0 mm. — strength: strong. — aspect: about 45             degree to 90 degree from stem axis. — texture: smooth,             glabrous. — color: commonly near Brown Group N200A.         -   Pedicels.—Length: approximately 2.0 mm. — diameter:             approximately 1.0 mm. — strength: strong. — aspect:             approximately 45 degree from peduncle axis. — texture:             smooth, glabrous. — color: commonly near Green Group 143A.         -   Reproductive organs.—         -   Androecium.—Stamen quantity: 2 per flower. — stamen length:             approximately 2.0 mm. — anther shape: oblong. — anther             length: approximately 2.0 mm. — anther color: commonly near             Yellow Group 3C. — pollen amount: moderate. — pollen color:             commonly near Yellow Group 3D.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistil quantity: 1 per flower. — pistil length:             approximately 3.0 mm. — stigma shape: club-shaped. — stigma             length: less than 1.0 mm. — stigma color: commonly near             Yellow Group 4C. — style length: approximately 3.0 mm. —             style color: commonly near Yellow Group 4C. — ovary             diameter: less than 1.0 mm. — ovary color: commonly near             Green Group 143C.         -   Seed and fruit production.—Neither seed nor fruit production             has been observed. -   Development:     -   -   Vegetation.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Tolerance to disease and pest resistance.—Strongly resistant             to lilac powdery mildew, plants of the new Syringa have not             been observed to be resistant to pests common to Syringa             plants.

The new ‘G13103’ variety has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Syringa plant characterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a) forms attractive, white colored moderately fragrant flowers, (b) exhibits medium green colored foliage, (c) provides moderately vigorous vegetation, and (d) displays densely branched and compact growth habit; substantially as herein shown and described. 